[lifestyle] Worldwise: Lifestyle Authority Athena Calderone’s Favorite Things

[_Happy boy]

Athena Calderone has built her career on creativity. She first came on the map for her nine-year-old lifestyle site EyeSwoon, and has since authored two books: Cook Beautiful, and just this year, Live Beautiful. 

For the design expert and lifestyle guru, creativity comes from introspection, both spiritually (though her daily morning ritual involving Palo Santo —a wood used for medicinal purposes—and intention-setting) and physically (by exploring the interiors of her Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, townhouse). 

The common denominator between the two, Calderone, who’s in her 40s, has found, are objects. “To me, the pieces you choose to place in your home carry stories and memories within them, and add personality to your space,” she says, “I love collecting.” 

And through quarantine, she’s turned her hobby of collecting into a business venture, expanding her lifestyle empire to include a line of handmade home decor items.

Initially, Calderone created custom-made products for personal reasons. “Whenever I could not find a piece that I wanted to live within my home, I’d have it custom-made or a vintage piece altered,” she says. “This is my approach to interior and now product design. I love to create from a place of need, with a focus on purpose-driven pieces that enhance my quality of life.”

After sharing her products on social media, she was bombarded with inquiries. “I was flattered my audience loved them so much that I wanted to make them available for purchase so they were accessible.” 

To do so, Calderone collaborated with some of her favorite brands, including Beau Rush Ceramics, The Wooden Palate, and Simone Bodmer-Turner. “I’ve had long-standing relationships with” these brands, she says. “It felt right that I start my product development work with them, expanding on pieces that we’ve authentically built together,” she says. “What I love about partnering with [these brands] is that [they] are artisan, producing works of high integrity with uniquely organic movement to each piece.”

And for Calderone, her debut home collection wasn’t a guessing game or creating products for the sake of creating products. “It comes from an authentic place because I’ve lived with these pieces and I also have built deep relationships with their manufacturers,” she says, “So my audience gets my touch and intention with these products but also the practical nature of their usability.” 

Calderone shared with Penta a few of her favorite things at home and elsewhere.

My favorite city in the world is… I have a love affair with Copenhagen. It makes my heart go pitter-patter from the food to the design to the light and colors!

The one thing in my kitchen I can’t live without is… a sharp knife!

The one thing in my home I can’t live without is… our pup, Tuco.

If I were to buy a piece of art, it would be by… Ethan Cook in real life. Cy Twombly in fantasy.

The best book I’ve read in the last year is… Mary Oliver will always sit at my bedside. I love Why I Wake Early.

The one trip I’ve taken that I would love to do again… I really miss Italy —Aeolian islands or Ischia.

The thing that gets me up in the morning is… ritual. I love to wake early, burn palo santo, meditate, and then sip my morning coffee.

The restaurant in my hometown that I love to take a visitor is… Cafe Altro Paradiso or Estela. Ignacio Mattos is my favorite chef.

A person who inspired me to do what I do is… my son! Being a young mom forced me to be home in my 20s when my peers were out in the world developing themselves. I developed my passions and creativity within the home, which unknowingly led me to where I am today!

A new routine I’ve developed during social isolation is… long morning walks on the beach with my dog.

The perfect meal at home is… my whole roasted sumac chicken with roasted veggies and labne. The recipe is one of my favorites from my cookbook, Cook Beautiful.

The one thing I’m doing more of to help me get through this difficult time is… spending quality time with my loved ones. Particularly cooking with my son, Jivan, regularly. Just all around more focused time together with the people closest to my heart.